Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia has applauded government’s decision to issue a small scale gold exploration license to Kasenseli Mining Limited, in North-western Province.
Association President Kunda Chani told Money FM News in an interview that government has taken a commendable step by ensuring that the Mine is run in a formalized and structured way.
Mr. Chani stated that by issuing the license, government has shown political will which cannot go without commendation from the association.
“We have tried to show the necessary consistency as an association in a bid to see that government makes decisions that stand to benefit the country as a whole and the make-up of the country is the people, the people are those who are participating in mining activities.”
“Since the coming on board of Gold mining, particularly with the famous Kasenseli Gold mining project, we would like to commend government for the step that they have taken to make sure that the Mine is run in a formalized and structured way, and government has further shown some political will which cannot be left without commendation from us as small scale miners association,” Mr. Chani stated.
He added that it is the association’s hope that government will issue more licenses within the Kasenseli mining block, and blocks around the area so that such decisions stand to benefit the country as a whole.
“We would want to thank government for this step that they have taken, this is the first step and we hope that government will do an issuance of more licenses within the Kasenseli mining block, and blocks around the Kasenseli area.”
“This is the right way to go, and we want to assure government that as an association, with these steps that they are taking, to make sure that the resource in this case Gold that is being mined around Kasenseli mining block, the steps that they have taken stand to benefit the people of Zambia and this is what we have been advocating for,” he added.
Mr. Chani’s comment comes in following government’s decision to issue the first ever small scale gold exploration license to Kasenseli Mining Limited in which ZCCM-IH will be the off-taker.
Government has also issued 20 gold panning certificates to cooperatives representing 21 zones in Chief Chibwika’s area in Mwininlunga district, North-Western Province.
According to Mines and Minerals Development Minister Richard Musukwa, the small scale gold mining license issued to Kasenseli Mining Limited will mostly benefit women and youths in the area.